Separating and assembling semiconductor strips

ABSTRACT

A method and an apparatus for separating elongated semiconductor strips from a wafer of semiconductor material are disclosed. Vacuum is applied to the face of each semiconductor strip forming an edge of the wafer or being adjacent to the edge. The wafer and the source of the vacuum are displaced to separate each elongated semiconductor strip from the wafer. Further, a method and an apparatus for assembling elongated semiconductor strips separated from a wafer of semiconductor material into an array of strips are disclosed. Still further, methods, apparatuses, and systems for assembling an array of elongated semiconductor strips on a substrate are also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to semiconductor processing, andin particular to assembling arrays of semiconductor strips.

BACKGROUND

The photovoltaic solar cell industry is highly cost sensitive in termsof the efficiency of the voltage produced by a solar cell and the costof producing the solar cell. As only a low percentage of the totalthickness of a solar cell is used to generate voltage, it isincreasingly important to minimise the thickness of the solar cell andyield more solar cells from a piece of silicon.

International (PCT) Publication No. WO 02/45143 (PCT/AU01/01546)published on 6 Jun. 2002 and entitled “Semiconductor Wafer Processing toIncrease the Usable Planar Surface Area” describes “sliver” solar cellsand a method of making such sliver solar cells to increase the usablesurface area of a semiconductor wafer. The wafer has a substantiallyplanar surface and a thickness dimension at a right angle to thesubstantially planar surface and is typically single crystal silicon ormulticrystalline silicon.

In the method of International Publication No. WO 02/45143, a strip orsliver thickness is selected for division of the wafer into severalstrips or slivers. A technique is then selected for cutting the waferinto the strips at an angle to the substantially planar surface, inwhich the combined strip thickness and width of wafer removed by thecutting is less than the thickness of the wafer. The wafer is cut intostrips using the selected technique, and the strips are separated fromeach other. The faces of the strips that were previously at an angle tothe surface of the wafer become the faces of the strips exposed as aresult of cutting the wafer and separating the strips from each other.

FIG. 1(a) illustrates a silicon wafer 3 formed by standard crystalgrowth and wafering techniques. The wafer 3 may be at least 0.5 mm thickand typically about 1 mm thick and can be single-crystal or amulti-crystalline wafer. In the method of International Publication No.WO 02/45143, a series of parallel channels or slots 2 is formed in thewafer 3. The slots are typically 0.05 mm wide, and the pitch of theslots is typically 0.1 mm. In this manner thin parallel strips ofsilicon 1 are formed, about 0.05 mm wide. Because the slots 2 do notextend all the way to the edges of wafer 3, a frame 5 of uncut siliconholds the strips 1 in place. Frame 5 is typically 5 mm wide on eachside. Slots 2 may be formed using any of a number of techniques,including those referred to in International Publication No. WO02/45143.

FIG. 1(b) is an enlarged vertical cross-section through the wafer 3along line A-A showing strips 1 and spaces 2 in cross-sectional view.

FIG. 2 illustrates an arrangement of strips or slivers fabricated assolar cells 20 with a parallel connection and a gap between cells. Thecells 20 are arranged on a substrate 21 as shown. Electricallyconductive tracks 16 may be formed, for example, so that all the ppolarity contacts 32 are electrically connected together at one end ofthe cells, while the n polarity contacts 33 are electrically connectedtogether at the other end of the cells.

As the strips or slivers of semiconductor readily warp and bend but atthe same time are quite brittle, the slivers disadvantageously mayfracture or be damaged when separated from the wafer. Further, the facesof all slivers must all be configured with the same face as shown ascells 20 in FIG. 2, or differences in polarity may occur. Still further,the slivers may disadvantageously stick together.

Therefore, a need exists for separating strips or slivers ofsemiconductor material from wafers and assembling those separated stripsor slivers.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod of separating elongated semiconductor strips from a wafer ofsemiconductor material. A plurality of elongated semiconductor stripsformed in a wafer in a substantially parallel manner with respect toeach other are provided. The wafer has a substantially planar surfaceand a thickness dimension at a right angle to the substantially planarsurface. The wafer also has a frame portion(s) at opposite ends of thesemiconductor strips connecting the strips to the wafer. Thesemiconductor strips each have a width at least substantially equal tothe wafer thickness and a thickness dimension of the strip less than thewidth. At least one of the elongated semiconductor strips lengthwiseforms an edge of the wafer or being nearest adjacent the edge. A vacuumis applied to the elongated semiconductor strip forming the edge orbeing adjacent to the edge. This elongated semiconductor strip is pulleddown to the vacuum source. The wafer is displaced away from the vacuumsource leaving the elongated semiconductor strip free of the wafer andstill engaged on the vacuum source.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the describedoperation can be performed simultaneously on multiple wafers, thusseparating multiple elongated semiconductor strips at the same time.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there isprovided a method of assembling a plurality of elongated semiconductorstrips separated from a wafer of semiconductor material into an array ofthe strips. One of the elongated semiconductor strips is received at apredetermined position of at least one belt oriented lengthwise acrossthe belt. The belt is moved in a given direction by a predetermineddistance greater than the width of the elongated semiconductor strip.The receiving and moving steps are repeated until all of the elongatedsemiconductor strips have been processed.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provideda method of assembling an array of elongated semiconductor strips on asubstrate. Adhesive material is deposited on the substrate in apredetermined manner. Vacuum is applied to each one of the elongatedsemiconductor strips to maintain the strips in the array. The array is apredefined arrangement of the strips. The array of elongatedsemiconductor strips is transferred to the substrate, and a face of eachelongated semiconductor strip is brought into contact with a portion ofthe adhesive material. The vacuum applied to each elongatedsemiconductor strip is reduced or ceased, to provide the array ofelongated semiconductor strips located in situ on the substrate andadhering to the substrate.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, there isprovided a method of assembling an array of elongated semiconductorstrips on a substrate. The elongated semiconductor strips are formed ina wafer in a substantially parallel manner with respect to each other.The wafer has a substantially planar surface and a thickness dimensionat a right angle to the substantially planar surface. The wafer has aframe portion(s) at opposite ends of the semiconductor strips connectingthe strips to the wafer. An elongated semiconductor strip is separatedfrom the wafer using vacuum applied to the elongated semiconductor stripforming an edge or being adjacent to an edge of the wafer. The wafer isdisplaced from a source of the vacuum relative by a predetermineddistance. The elongated semiconductor strip is received on at least onefirst belt oriented lengthwise across the belt. The at least one firstbelt is moved in a given direction by a predetermined distance greaterthan the width of the elongated semiconductor strip. The foregoing stepsare repeated until all of the elongated semiconductor strips have beenprocessed.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device,comprising a substrate, an array of elongated semiconductor strips,adhesive material, and electrically conductive material. The elongatedsemiconductor strips are separated from a wafer of semiconductormaterial, and each has a width substantially equal to the waferthickness and a thickness dimension of the strip less than the width.The adhesive material is deposited between the substrate and a face ofeach elongated semiconductor strip to adhere the substrate and eachelongated semiconductor together. The face has the width of theelongated semiconductor strip as one of its dimensions. The electricallyconductive material is deposited on the substrate connecting at leasttwo of the elongated semiconductor strips together.

In accordance with further aspects of the invention, there are providedapparatuses and systems for implementing the methods in accordance withthe foregoing aspects of the invention. These and other aspects of theinvention are set forth hereinafter

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are a schematic diagram showing top and crosssectional views of a semiconductor wafer following the formation ofslots;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement ofsemiconductor strips or slivers and their electrical interconnection;

FIGS. 3(a) to 3(d) are schematic diagrams illustrating a semiconductorwafer having one or more regions of strips or slivers formed in thewafer;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a semiconductor wafer havinga region of strips or slivers that are unevenly spaced or warped in thewafer due to flexibility of the strips or slivers;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a vacuum source with which embodiments ofthe invention may be practiced;

FIGS. 6(a) to 6(d) are schematic diagrams illustrating a process ofseparating strips or slivers from the semiconductor wafer of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a weakened region of thewafer shown in FIG. 3(d);

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of a vacuumsource and a first pair of castellated belts for receiving slivers orstrips separated from the wafer by the vacuum source;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the first pair of belts ofFIG. 8, a drum adapted to applying vacuum to slivers or strips, and asecond pair of belts;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a reference for adjustingthe alignment of slivers arranged in the second pair of belts of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of separating strips orslivers from a wafer of semiconductor material;

FIG. 12 is an image showing six wafers with slivers formed in each ofthe wafers;

FIGS. 13(a) to 13(c) are images showing a yoke for holding a waferhaving slivers or strips formed in the wafer;

FIG. 14 is an image of a robotic device for separating strips or sliversfrom a wafer of semiconductor material;

FIG. 15 is an image of an arm of the robotic device of FIG. 14 forholding a yoke that holds a wafer;

FIG. 16 is an image of a yoke connected to the arm of FIG. 15;

FIGS. 17, 18, and 19 are more detailed images of an assembly in therobotic device of FIG. 14 including a vacuum source or block disposedbetween a first pair of belts and a mechanism for testing slivers orstrips and removing defective slivers or strips from the belts;

FIG. 20 is a more detailed image of the mechanism of FIG. 17 forremoving defective slivers or strips from the belts;

FIGS. 21 and 22 are images of a drum in the belt assembly adapted toapply vacuum to slivers arranged in the belts;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are images of a lifter/referencer for adjusting thealignment and spacing of slivers or strips;

FIGS. 25 and 26 are images of transfer mechanism adapted to apply vacuumto slivers or strips in an array of slivers from spacing belts and/orlifter/reference and to transfer the array to a substrate;

FIG. 27 is a more detailed image of the vacuum block and belts of FIGS.17 to 19;

FIG. 28 is an image of an array of slivers or strips assembled on asubstrate;

FIGS. 29 to 31 are schematic diagrams illustrating the process ofassembling an array of slivers on a substrate, including depositingelectrically conductive material and adhesive material on the substrate;

FIG. 32 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of assembling severalslivers separated from the wafer into an array of slivers;

FIG. 33 is flow diagram illustrating a method of refining the spacingbetween slivers using a second pair of belts;

FIG. 34 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of assembling an arrayof slivers on a substrate;

FIG. 35 is a block diagram of a vacuum source with which embodiments ofthe invention may be practiced;

FIG. 36 is a block diagram of a vacuum source that has channels formedin a U-shaped configuration;

FIG. 37 is a block diagram of a sliver being removed from a wafer usinga vacuum block having a vacuum sensor;

FIG. 38 is a block diagram illustrating placement of slivers ontocastellated conveyor belts using the vacuum block of FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a block diagram of a “soft clasp” tester with a servo motorand cam;

FIG. 40 is an arrangement of a vacuum source, castellated belts, tester,and vacuum drum in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 41 is a block diagram of a vacuum sensor; and

FIG. 42 is a robotic arm capable of rotation for deployment of anarrangement of slivers on an uneven surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for separating elongatedsemiconductor strips from a wafer of semiconductor material. Further, amethod and an apparatus are disclosed for assembling a plurality ofelongated semiconductor strips separated from a wafer of semiconductormaterial into an array of the strips. Still further, a method and anapparatus are disclosed for assembling an array of elongatedsemiconductor strips on a substrate. In the following description,numerous specific details, including semiconductor strip or sliverdimensions, the number of belts, spacings between belt castellations,and the like are set forth. However, from this disclosure, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and/orsubstitutions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention. In other circumstances, specific details may be omittedso as not to obscure the invention.

The embodiments of the invention seek to yield more cell surface areaper mass of silicon.

Overview

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 1110 of separatingstrips or slivers from a wafer of semiconductor material in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention. The strips are elongated in shape.Preferably, the wafer is single crystal silicon or multi-crystalline (orpoly-crystalline) silicon. However, other semiconductor materials may bepracticed without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.In step 1110, several elongated semiconductor strips formed in a waferin a substantially parallel manner with respect to each other areprovided. The wafer has a substantially planar surface and a thicknessdimension at a right angle to the substantially planar surface. Thewafer also has one or more frame portions at opposite ends of thesemiconductor strips connecting the strips to the wafer. Thesemiconductor strips each have a width at least substantially equal tothe wafer thickness and a thickness dimension of the strip less than thewidth. A face of at least one of elongated semiconductor stripslengthwise forms an edge of the wafer or is nearest adjacent the edge.The wafer may be moved so that the face of the elongated semiconductorstrip is in close proximity to the source of the vacuum. In step 1120,vacuum is applied to the face of the elongated semiconductor stripforming the edge or being adjacent to the edge. In step 1130, the waferand a source of the vacuum are displaced relative to each other apredetermined distance to separate the elongated semiconductor striphaving vacuum applied to the elongated semiconductor strip from thewafer.

The vacuum applied to the separated, elongated semiconductor strip isreduced and is preferably terminated (i.e., the vacuum ceases) and theseparated, elongated semiconductor strip and the source of the vacuumare displaced relative to each other.

In a variation of this step, vacuum may continue to be applied to theelongated semiconductor strip while the strip is being displacedrelative to the wafer, in order to maintain the elongated semiconductorstrip in close contact with the displacement means. This vacuumengagement may be maintained until the elongated semiconductor strip isunder other retention means such as at least one roof bar.

The steps of the method are repeatedly performed to separate two or moreof the elongated semiconductor strips from the wafer. The source of thevacuum has a body with at least one cavity formed in the body forproviding the applied vacuum. The cavity adjacent the face of theelongated semiconductor strip is substantially the same in size as orsmaller than a dimension of the face. Specific embodiments of vacuumsources, or vacuum blocks, are set forth hereinafter.

The elongated semiconductor strip may be formed with preferred points ofbreakage from the wafer. These can be weak points in portions of thewafer adjacent opposite ends of the elongated semiconductor strips. Theweak points facilitate separation of the elongated semiconductor stripfrom the wafer. More preferably, the weak points are grooves formed inthe wafer using any of a number of well-known techniques, includingsawing and etching. Other methods of forming such weak points may bepracticed without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

When the elongated semiconductor strip breaks away from the wafer atthese weak points, control the manner of breakage is desirable. Amechanism for providing a manner of breakage is to control the crystalfracture plane's orientations.

Preferably, the elongated semiconductor strips are utilized to form“sliver” photovoltaic solar cells. However, similarly configuredsemiconductor slivers or strips may be used to form other devices andcircuits.

In the following description, embodiments of the invention are disclosedin detail utilising pairs of belts with castellations. However, themethods, apparatuses and systems may be practiced with other numbers ofbelts and configurations. For example, the methods, apparatuses andsystems may be implemented using a single belt for each pair of beltsdescribed in detail below. Further, the belt may have grooves formed init rather than castellations. For example, each belt may be porous toallow vacuum action through it, or the belt may have openings, haveperforations, be woven, or the like, to enable use with the vacuumsource. Another variation is that the “belts” may be carrier strips thatare used as part of the assembly of the final solar panel. Othervariations may be practiced without departing from the scope and spiritof the invention.

Otherwise, the collation of the elongated semiconductor strips may beperformed on a batch basis, where the castellations are on one or morecarrier bars.

Wafers with Slivers

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating semiconductorwafers having at least one region of strips or slivers formed in thewafer. Hereinafter, such strips of semiconductor cut in the wafer arereferred to as “slivers” for ease of description. A first configuration300 of a semiconductor wafer 310 with several sliver portions 312, 314,316 is depicted in FIG. 3(a). As can be seen from the FIG. 3(a), theportion 314 has slivers that are significantly longer than those ofregions 312 and 316. Separate processes may be practiced to process thedifferent length slivers, although essentially the same steps andequipment are utilized.

For ease of description, another configuration 350 is depicted in FIG.3(b). A larger, single portion 352 of slivers characterizes this wafer360 (otherwise identical to that 310 of FIG. 3(a)). A portion 370 of thewafer 360 is removed from the wafer 360 along the dashed line 380 usingany of a number of well-known techniques. A face of at least one ofelongated semiconductor strips lengthwise forms an edge of the wafer oris nearest adjacent the edge. FIG. 3(c) shows the resultingconfiguration of the wafer 360 having a flat or straight edge 390. Aframe(s) of uncut wafer material surrounds the slivers portion 352. Aface of one of the slivers (i.e., an elongated semiconductor strip)lengthwise forms the edge 390 of the wafer 360 or is nearest adjacentthe edge 390. The latter would be the case if slivers are progressivelyremoved from the edge 390. FIG. 3(d) is an elevation view showing thethickness of the wafer 360, with one sliver 352 (indicated by diagonalhashing) forming part of the edge 390, or being adjacent thereto. Adashed circle 700 indicates a portion of the wafer where the sliver 352is connected to a frame portion of the wafer 360 and is shown in anenlarged view in FIG. 7.

While the slivers in FIG. 3(c) are shown formed at substantially rightangles to the planar surface of the wafer, this need not be the case.For example, the slivers may be formed (e.g., etched) at an angledifferent than ninety degrees to form slivers that are wider than thethickness of the wafer. Thus, the width of a sliver may be at leastsubstantially equal to the thickness of the wafer. This covers the casewhere the width is slightly less than the thickness of the wafer, equalto the thickness, or greater than the thickness of the wafer.

As shown in FIG. 7, the circle 700 shows an enlarged portion of thewafer 360. A weakened portion 710 is formed in the region between thesliver 352 (diagonal hashing) and the frame (solid white). The weakenedportion 710 is preferably a groove formed by sawing and may be 50% ofthe width of the face of the sliver 352, and may be larger (e.g., 60%).Such weakened portions 710 may be formed at opposite ends of the sliversconnected with the frame(s). Other techniques including etching may bepracticed to form the weakened portions.

While the slivers 352 shown in FIGS. 3(a) to 3(d) have been depicted assubstantially straight or flat, the gaps formed between slivers may andfrequently do produce deflections or warping of the slivers. Forexample, several slivers may be warped to as to have an S-shapelengthwise. The slivers may also stick together, or portions of sliversmay break off from the wafer. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustratingthe configuration 400 of a semiconductor wafer 460 having a region 452of slivers, including slivers 470 and 480 that are unevenly spaced orwarped in the wafer 460 due to flexibility of the slivers. Thedisplacement or warping 470, 480, the thickness of the slivers, and thespaces between slivers are exaggerated in the Figure for purposes ofillustration. FIG. 12 is an image showing six actual wafers 1210, 1220,1230, 1240, 1250, and 1260 with slivers formed in each of the wafers,with which embodiments of the invention may be practiced. The wafer 1230has a portion of slivers that are regularly spaced. The wafers 1240 and1260 have had a portion of the wafer removed to form an edge withslivers adjacent to the edge. Several of the slivers 1242 of the wafer1240 have fragmented from the wafer 1240 indicating the brittleness andthe fragility of slivers when handled. The wafer 1220 clearly shows anumber of slivers formed in the wafer 1220 that are warped or deflected(i.e., having a wave-like shape with irregular gaps), as indicated inFIG. 4. The wafers have weak points formed in portions of the wafersadjacent opposite ends of the slivers to facilitate separation of theslivers from the wafer. This may be done using sawing, or etching, orany of a number of other techniques. Again, the wafers are preferablysingle crystal silicon or multicrystalline silicon, but may be othertypes of semiconductors.

Vacuum Source

The process 1100 of FIG. 11 advantageously uses a vacuum source to applyvacuum to a sliver to separate the sliver from the wafer. Steps 1120 and1130 use the vacuum. FIG. 5 is a generic depiction of a vacuum source500. The vacuum source 500 includes a solid body 510, which may berectangular in form. The body 510 has one or more channels 520 formedthrough the body 510. The channels 520 may be cylindrical or prismaticin form (indicated with dashed lines) with a circular or substantiallycircular orifice in the topmost surface of the source 500. Morepreferably, the vacuum source is a shaped vacuum block. Still further,while the channels 520 are cylindrical in form with circular orifices,it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that otherconfigurations of the block and channels may be practiced withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, theblock may be circular, rather than rectangular in form. Still further,the channels 520 may be rectangular in form with square orifices ratherthan cylindrical in form with circular in form, for example. Manyvariations may be practiced provided that sufficient vacuum is createdto separate a sliver in contact with the vacuum source 500 from thewafer. Vacuum pulls the sliver downwardly toward the vacuum source 500,as indicated by arrow 530. This is done by applying suction to thebottom surface of the block 510. Further details of vacuum sources andtheir equivalents are set forth hereinafter.

FIG. 35 is a block diagram of another vacuum block 3500 that may bepracticed. This block 3500 may be Tee shaped, comprising a first block3510 and a second block 3512 oriented transverse to the first one 3510.The block 3500 may be unitary, or comprise two or more separate pieces.The second block 3512 provides vacuum continuously via two or morechannels 3520 formed through the body 3512 while the slivers are movedaway from the first block 3510 by conveyors. Similar channels are in theblock 3510. While a linear arrangement of channels 3520 is shown in eachof blocks 3510, 3512, other configurations may be practiced. Forexample, the channels 3520 may be configured so as to appear E- orU-shaped when viewed in plan. Further the arrangement of E- or U-shapesmay be staggered to give effectively continuous vacuum in conveyingslivers. FIG. 36 shows a portion of a vacuum block 3600 that hasU-shaped channels 3620 formed in the body 3610, and slightly staggeredpitch between adjoining U-shaped channel configurations

In yet another variation, the vacuum block may be provided with a vacuumsensor, such as the one 4100 shown in FIG. 41. The vacuum block has oneor more channels 4110, coupled to a vacuum generator 4120 and a vacuumsensor 4130, which senses the vacuum produced when a sliver is broughtinto contact with an opening of the channel 4110. Upon a predeterminedvacuum level being reached, the vacuum sensor 4130 actuates a retractingarm holding the wafer and then advances the belts. The vacuum level atwhich the retracting arm is actuated may be set at a variable presetvalue (e.g., at 0.5 to 0.7 bar, negative pressure). The vacuum levelrequired is a function of hole size, number of holes, and hole spacingin the vacuum block. For any given vacuum block configuration, thevacuum level is adjusted so that the sliver is retained on the blockduring retraction of the wafer, but not held so tightly that the sliveris damaged when the sliver is moved off the block by the advancingconveyor belts. This can be better understood with reference to FIG. 37.The arrangement 3700 includes a wafer 3710, which includes slivers 3720.The lowermost sliver 3720 is brought into proximity with the vacuumblock 3730 with sensor 3740.

As shown in FIG. 40, the sensor 3740, 4012 may be coupled to aprogrammable logic controller (PLC) 4050, or a similar controller, whichin turn controls operation of the retracting arm (not shown) holding thewafer 4002 and conveyor belts 4040. In this embodiment, the vacuumsource 4010 may be always on. Optionally, the vacuum sensor 4012 maydetect if a broken sliver fragment is left behind on the vacuum block4010 and trigger an alarm for the fragment to be removed. Slivers 4020are placed between castellations in the belt 4040. Once vacuum isapplied to the sliver 3720 of FIG. 37, the conveyor belt (not shown inFIG. 37, but see FIG. 40) is advanced by one pitch. When lowering thewafer 3710 toward the block 3730, the PLC may count the number of stripsremoved, moving the wafer in half steps, before retracting the wafer3710 when a vacuum level is detected by the sensor. The vacuum drum 4070is a transfer drum and may include a sensor to confirm the presence of asliver. Both the fix mounted vacuum source and the vacuum sensor areconnected to the rotating vacuum drum 4070 by a rotary connectormechanism well known to those familiar with the art. The arrangement4000 may also include a tester module (see FIG. 39) and a mechanism forhandling rejected slivers.

FIG. 38 shown a vacuum block 3830 located between castellated conveyorbelts 3850, with slivers 3820 between the castellations. For ease ofdepiction, the slivers 3820 oriented in a vertical manner depict thesame in a wafer, but the wafer is not shown. A skid or roof 3840 islocated between the belts 3850 to ensure that slivers 3820 do not flipor rotate.

In yet another variation of the vacuum source 3500 shown in FIG. 35, thefirst block 3510 may operate in an on-off manner for removing a sliverfrom the wafer, while the second block 3512 may be always on.

Screws may be used to remove dags in the wafer from breaking sliversfrom wafer.

Separating Slivers from Wafer Using Vacuum Source

FIGS. 6(a) to 6(d) are schematic diagrams depicting the process ofseparating slivers from the semiconductor wafer 460 of FIG. 4. Again,the slivers portion 452 contains a number of warped or deflectedslivers. While not shown in the Figure, slivers may also be brokenpartially or entirely from the wafer 460. The vacuum source 500 (body510 with channels 520) is initially displaced by a predetermineddistance relative to a sliver 630 forming the edge of the wafer 400.

In one embodiment as depicted in FIG. 6(b), the wafer 400 is movedtoward the vacuum source 500, as indicated by arrow 610, so that theedge of the wafer abuts or is in close proximity to the vacuum source500. In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum source 500 may be moved sothat it abuts or is adjacent to the wafer 400, rather than moving thewafer 400. Vacuum is then applied so that a face of the vacuum sourcehaving the orifices fastens the sliver 630. Sensors can be used toconfirm this action. The wafer 400 and the vacuum source 500 are thendisplaced a predetermined distance, so that the weakened portions 710 ofFIG. 7 snap or break and the sliver 630 is separated from the wafer 400.As shown in FIG. 6(c), the sliver continues to be in contact with theface of the vacuum source 500. With the removal of each sliver off thevacuum block, this process is repeatedly carried out for each successivesliver most adjacent to the edge. FIG. 6(d) shows how the wafer 400 isprogressively moved toward the vacuum source 500 by the thickness of asliver or related distance so that the vacuum source 500 removesinwardly positioned slivers 452 from the wafer 400.

In another embodiment, the vacuum is ON all the time. When the wafer ismoved towards the vacuum block and when on close proximity the closestsliver is pulled down onto the vacuum orifices, a sensor detects thisoccurrence and reverses the motion of the wafer so snapping off andleaving the sliver engaged on the vacuum block. Once this sliver hasbeen removed, the wafer is moved down towards the vacuum block again tostart the next cycle.

As depicted in FIG. 6, the vacuum source 500 pulls of the sliver in theplane of the wafer. However, this need not be the case. The slivers maybe pulled off or extracted at other angles relative to the plane of thewafer.

A device or apparatus may be readily practiced using the foregoingmethod to separate slivers from the wafer of semiconductor material. Asdescribed in greater detail hereinafter, a yoke or jig is used to holdthe wafer having slivers. Preferably, the yoke is coupled to a lever orarm of a robotic machine that can position a sliver adjacent to thevacuum source 500 and then displace the wafer and the vacuum source 500relative to each other a predetermined distance to separate the sliverhaving vacuum applied to the elongated semiconductor strip from thewafer.

Assembling Slivers into an Array Using Belts

Another embodiment of the invention provides a method 3200 of assemblingslivers, separated from a wafer of semiconductor material, into an arrayas shown in FIG. 32. In step 3210, one of the elongated semiconductorstrips or slivers is received at predetermined positions of at least onebelt oriented lengthwise across the belt. In step 3220, the belt ismoved in a given direction by a predetermined distance greater than thewidth of the elongated semiconductor strip. In decision step 3230, acheck is made to determine if all of the elongated semiconductor stripshave been processed. If step 3230 returns false (NO), processingcontinues at step 3210. In this manner, the receiving and moving stepsare repeated until all of the elongated semiconductor strips have beenprocessed. If step 3230 returns true (YES), processing terminates.Further details of this process are set forth hereinafter with referenceto FIG. 8. For example, the at least one belt may be porous to allowvacuum action through it, or the belt may have openings, perforations,weaving, or the like, to enable use with the vacuum source.

Between the first set of belts and the second set of belts, testing ofthe sliver takes place and any faulty or broken sliver is rejected.Well-known mechanisms are described hereinafter in the embodiments thatmay be practiced to carry out these functions.

A sliver oriented lengthwise is received at preferably a pair ofparallel belts at predetermined positions of the parallel belts acrossthe belts as depicted generally in FIG. 8. The drawing shows aconfiguration 800 of belts 810 and a vacuum source 500. The belts 810are preferably castellated, having castellations or teeth projectingupwardly. Several slivers 630 are shown each lying between an adjacentpair of castellations on each belt. A predetermined distance 820separates adjacent castellations. The vacuum source 500 applies a vacuumto a face of the sliver 630 and is used to deliver the sliver at thepredetermined position. The belts 810 move synchronously in a givendirection by a predetermined distance greater than the width of thesliver. The predetermined distance is preferably relative to the vacuumsource 500. In this manner, the slivers 630 as depicted in FIG. 8 arefed forward. Again, the foregoing receiving and moving operations repeatuntil all of the slivers 630 have been processed.

While the belts 810 are depicted as being castellated timing belts, inan alternative embodiment of the invention, the belts may be made of atape-like fabric and have adhesive on a surface upon which the slivers630 are received. Further, the belts may be made of mylar. This wouldallow lengths of assembled belts of slivers to be readily manufacturedand cut to length or provided in predetermined lengths.

While the vacuum block is shown to engage only one sliver, anotherimplementation may use a wide vacuum block that engages not only thesliver being separated off the wafer, but several slivers in the forwardindex positions. This serves to maintain hold-down control of the sliverduring indexing. Beyond this, roof rails positioned above the sliversare another mechanism to confine the slivers from jumping out of theirlocation on the indexing belts—vacuum hold-down should be continueduntil the slivers are under the roof rails.

As depicted in FIG. 8, the castellated belts have a distance betweenadjacent castellations substantially wider than the width of the sliver.This permits a sliver to be placed readily between castellations of eachbelt without flipping over the sliver 630 and thereby changing itsorientation vis-à-vis other slivers.

Apparatuses for Separating and Assembling Slivers

Another embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for separatingelongated semiconductor strips from a wafer of semiconductor material.This apparatus is preferably implemented as a robotic device 1400 shownin FIG. 14. The robotic device 1400 has a mechanism for holding a waferwith slivers formed in a substantially parallel manner with respect toeach other in the wafer (not shown). This holding function isimplemented using a yoke 1300, or substantially U-shaped clamp, forsecuring a wafer as shown in FIGS. 13(a) to 13(c). FIG. 13(a) shows animage of the yoke 1300 in assembled form, and FIGS. 13(b) and 13(c) showthe yoke 1300 disassembled. The yoke 1300 comprises two U-shaped yokeplates 1320 and 1330 that can sandwich a wafer 1340 between the plates1320 and 1330, which are held together by a fastener, say with twoscrews 1330. The yoke plates 1310 and 1320 having holes with whichregistration holes in the wafer 1340 (not shown) can be used to alignthe wafer 1340 with the yoke plates 1310 and 1320.

An arm 1410 of the robotic device 1400 is shown generally in FIG. 14 andin greater detail in FIG. 15. The arm 1410 has depending elongatedmembers spaced apart at one end forming a complementary shape to that ofthe yoke 1300 and has registration pins with which the yoke 1300 can bealigned. The yoke 1300 preferably connects to the arm 1410 magnetically.FIG. 16 is an image showing the yoke 1300 holding a semiconductor wafer1600 connected to the arm or lever 1410. The holding function furtherhas an elevator mechanism 1420 shown in FIG. 14 that can raise and lowerthe arm 1410 and hence the wafer 1600 relative to a vacuum source (notshown) in the assembly 1430 of FIG. 14. Thus the robotic device 1400displaces the wafer 1600 and the vacuum source by moving the arm 1410preferably. This implements the functionality of moving the wafer sothat the face of a sliver is in close proximity to the vacuum source1710. Alternatively, this functionality may be achieved by moving avacuum source relative to a wafer that is held fixedly in place, so thatthe vacuum source is in close proximity to the face of the sliver. Itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that the displacement ofthe wafer relative to the vacuum source can be achieved in other wayswithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Thedisplacement is a predetermined distance to separate the sliver from thewafer and can be programmably adjusted as slivers are removed from thewafer so that the slivers are progressively removed inwardly across thewafer.

Alternative embodiments of the above wafer clamp can be designed tomount more than one wafer, so that multiple slivers can be separated atthe same time.

FIGS. 17, 18, 19 and 27 are images showing a vacuum source 1710 (orvacuum block) in the assembly 1430 of FIG. 14. The vacuum source 1710applies vacuum to the face of a sliver (such as the lower sliver 2700 inFIG. 27 shown directly above channel orifices 1712 in FIG. 27. The bodyof the vacuum source 1710 is preferably made of metal but othermaterials may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. The vacuum source 1710 has a body with at least one cavityformed in the body for providing the applied vacuum. The cavity orcavities are arranged in a surface of the body that can be placedadjacent the face of the sliver. The orifices are substantially the samein size as or smaller than a dimension of the face. While five circularorifices 1712 are depicted in FIGS. 18 and 27, it will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that different numbers and shapes of orificesmay be practiced without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. The vacuum applied to the sliver may be reduced or terminatedto release the sliver from the vacuum source 1710 following separationfrom the wafer, as described hereinafter. However, in the embodimentshown, the vacuum source may operate continuously at essentially thesame level of vacuum.

The assembly 1430 has a pair of castellated belts 1700, each beltpositioned on an opposite end of the vacuum source 1710, which islocated between the belts 1700 so that the space between a pair ofcastellations in each belt are aligned with the orifices configuredlengthwise in the top surface of the vacuum source 1710. The belts 1700are flexible and may be made of materials such as rubber, plastic,elastomer and any other suitable material. A motor 1720 is used to turnthe belts 1700 in step (i.e., in a programmed or regular manner) incooperation with the operation of the arm 1410 and the vacuum source1710. Movement of the belts 1700 displaces the separated sliver from thevacuum source 1710 relative to each other. A drum 1760 is provided atthe opposite end of the belts relative to the motor 1720 for moving thebelt. As described in greater detail hereinafter, the drum 1760preferably has a vacuum source also.

A programmable logic controller (PLC) may be used to control andsynchronise operation of the arm 1410 and elevating mechanism 1420, thevacuum source 1710, and the belts 1700 to repeatedly perform operationsto separate one or more of the slivers from the wafer. A PLC is notshown in the drawings, but will be well understood by those skilled inthe art. Numerous other processors and controllers may be practiced toimplement these control and synchronization functions.

FIGS. 17 to 21 and 27 also show a pair of rails 1730 above and parallelto the pair of belts 1700, which are positioned to prevent slivers fromflipping over or lifting out of the spaces between pairs ofcastellations in the belts 1700. The rails are rectangular in form andare made out of metal in this embodiment, although again otherstructures and materials may be utilized to achieve this functionality.

The assembly 1430 also can be arranged with a testing device to test theelectrical properties of the slivers while located on the belt as eachsliver passes over or is adjacent to the testing mechanism. The testingdevice is not shown in the Figures but may be positioned in the assembly1730 at the position denoted generally by arrow 1740 in the image ofFIG. 20. For example, the sliver may be tested by applying light from alight source to the sliver (e.g. 1 sun) and measuring the resultingvoltage produced by the sliver. The results of such testing can bereported to the controller, or other suitable mechanism, for removingdefective slivers from the belt and maintaining information about theempty position in the belts 1700 that results. As indicated in FIGS. 17and 20, a vacuum source 1750 is positioned in the assembly 1730 toremove defective slivers, after testing and in response to the testingresults. Preferably, the vacuum source 1750 for removing defectiveslivers is positioned above the belts 1700, after the testing mechanismlocation but before the drum 1760. The removal of such a defectivesliver from the belts is tracked for the purposes of further processingusing the belts.

Projections 1770 of FIG. 27 are located on opposite sides outside of thebelts 1700. In the Figure, the projections are implemented by adjustablescrews. These projections are used to remove dags from the internaledges of the wafer frames after slivers have snapped off. Othertechniques and devices may be practiced for this purpose withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Such a technique may involve the creation of a secondary but strongerset of weak points outside of the first set of weak points, so that theprojection means are used to remove a larger piece of the wafer thatincludes the abovementioned dags.

FIG. 39 illustrates a sliver tester 3900 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. Slivers 3930 are located betweencastellations 3940 and a skid keeps the slivers from flipping orrotating. There may a gap of 0.5 mm between the skid and the belt 3940where the slivers are 1.0 mm wide. A light source 3910 illuminates asliver 3930B, where a “soft clasp” tester is moved up to contactopposite side edges of the sliver 3930B using a servo motor and cam. Thecam has opposite flat surfaces so that the spaced apart electrodes arebrought into contact with the sliver 3930B, when the cam turns. Thetester measures the voltage produced in the sliver 3930B. Followingwhich the cam is turned again to remove the electrodes from clasping thesliver and then the electrodes are retracted.

Sliver testing may be performed by direct or indirect that may or maynot require illumination, or even physical contact with the sliver.Alternative methods to achieve the functionality of sliver testing arewell known to those skilled in the art.

Refining Spacing Between Slivers Using a Second Pair of Belts

FIG. 33 is flow diagram illustrating a method 3300 of refining thespacing between slivers using a second pair of belts. In step 3310, eachelongated semiconductor strip is transferred from the at least one beltto at least one other belt located adjacent thereto. The transferringstep preferably involves applying vacuum to each elongated semiconductorstrip during movement of the other belt. The other belt hascastellations with a distance between adjacent castellations greaterthan the width of an elongated semiconductor strip but substantiallyless than adjacent castellations of the at least one belt that receivedthe elongated semiconductor strip. In step 3230, the at least one otherbelt moves in a given direction by a predetermined distance. Thisdistance is greater than the width of the elongated semiconductor strip.In decision step 3330, a check is made to determine if at least aportion, or all, of the elongated semiconductor strips have beenprocessed forming the array of strips. If step 3330 returns false (NO),processing continues at step 3310. In this manner, the transferring andmoving steps are repeated until the portion of strips has beenprocessed. Otherwise, if step 3330 returns true (YES), processingterminates. Further details of this processing are described hereinafterwith reference to FIG. 9.

The spacing between slivers may be reduced using the mechanism 900 ofFIG. 9. In particular, FIG. 9 illustrates the first pair of belts 810 ofFIG. 8, a drum 10 adapted to apply vacuum via one or more orifices 920to slivers, and a second pair of belts 940. While castellations are notshown in FIG. 9 to simplify the drawing, it will be readily appreciatedvisually from the drawing that the spacing 950 of slivers on the secondpair of belts 940 is significantly smaller than the distance 820 of thefirst pair of belts in FIGS. 8 and 9. The drum or roller 910 hasorifices in alignment with the space between castellations in the belts810 and is used to apply vacuum to a face of a sliver so that the slivercan be delivered by rotation about the drum 910 in the smaller spaced950 castellations (not shown) of the second pair of belts 940. Eachsliver is transferred from the first pair of belts 810 to the secondpair of belts 940 located adjacent thereto. The distance 950 is greaterthan the width of a sliver but substantially less than the distance 820.The second pair of belts 940 moves in a given direction by apredetermined distance greater than the width of the sliver. Theforegoing steps are repeated until at least a portion of the strips hasbeen processed, thereby forming the array of strips.

The use of two pairs of belts in the foregoing manner is advantageous inthat a first pair of belts with widely spaced castellations is used toreceive the slivers from the wafer. The slivers can then be tested, anddefective slivers removed before the remaining slivers are delivered tothe more closely spaced castellations of the second belts in acontrolled manner. Attempting to deliver slivers directly from the waferto the second pair of belts with closely spaced castellations coulddisadvantageously result in a number of slivers flipping so that not allof the slivers are facing in the same direction once removed from thewafer. Where the slivers are used in devices such as sliver solar cells,this could result in voltages being produced with opposite polarities inseries, for example. This would result in reduced efficiencies of thesolar modules or arrays.

Gaps in the first belts due to removed/missing slivers are tracked andtaken into account to ensure that the second belts are properlypopulated without unintended gaps in the resulting array.

Optionally, every second gap between castellations in the first belt maybe left empty, provided the empty portions of the belt are tracked.

Apparatus for Refining Spacing Between Slivers

FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 illustrate part of the assembly 1430 that implementsthe upper belt assembly in FIG. 9. This is part of the apparatus forassembling slivers separated from a wafer of semiconductor material intoan array of slivers. The two parallel belts 1700 receive atpredetermined positions one of slivers oriented lengthwise across thebelts 1700. The motor 1720 of FIG. 17 moves the belts 1700 in a givendirection by a predetermined distance greater than the width of thesliver. A controller (not shown) coupled to the motor repeats thereceiving and moving operations until all of the slivers have beenprocessed. The apparatus also has at least two further belts (not shownin FIGS. 20, 21, and 22, but depicted schematically in FIG. 9) locatedadjacent to and below the two belts 1700.

The drum 1760 in combination with the belts 1700 implements thefunctionality of transferring sliver from the two belts 1700 to the twofurther belts. The drum 1760 has an arrangement of vacuum channelorifices 1762 aligned with the spacing between adjacent castellations1702 in each belt 1700 as the belts 1700 rotate about the drum 1760. Thetwo further belts each have castellations with a distance betweenadjacent castellations greater than the width of a sliver butsubstantially less than adjacent castellations of the two belts thatreceived the sliver. The drum 1760 comprises a second vacuum sourceapplying vacuum to each strip during movement of the two further beltsand ceasing the vacuum to effect transfer of each sliver. A motor movesthe two further belts in a given direction by a predetermined distancegreater than the width of the elongated semiconductor strip. Again, thecontroller repeats the transferring and moving operations until at leasta portion of the elongated semiconductor strips have been processedforming the array of strips.

An embodiment of the invention uses a reciprocating vacuum block toengage and remove the sliver from its upper belts positions and depositthe sliver to the lower belts' position. This allows the sliver to beunder positive engagement continuously, as opposed to being droppedbetween the upper and lower belts.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a lifter/referencer 1000 for adjustingthe spacing of the slivers. In particular, the lifter/reference 1000removes deviations from the required spacing/location of individualslivers in the array. Thus, the lifter/referencer 1000 changes thespacing of slivers relative to each other. In the lifter/referencer1000, an outer set of castellations 1030 on each side of thelifter/referencer are displaced with respect to an inner set ofcastellations 1050 on a slide member 1040. The lifter/referencer 1000closely spaces together slivers 630 by a predetermined distance 1020less than the spacing between adjacent castellations in the second pairof belts 940. Preferably, the lifter/referencer 1000 is positionedbetween the belts 940 to make fine spacing adjustments.

FIGS. 23 and 24 are images of a lifter/referencer 2300 utilising theprinciples of the lifter/referencer 1000 of FIG. 10. As can be clearlyseen in FIG. 24, the outer castellations 2310 on opposite outer sides ofthe lifter/referencer 2300 are separated by a small distance close tothe width of the slivers and an inner set of castellations 2330 isslightly displaced relative to the outer castellations 2310. The innercastellations are connected to a slide member 2320. The inner and outercastellations 2310, 2330 can be displaced relative to each other tofine-tune the position of slivers in the array.

Assembling an Array of Slivers on a Substrate

FIG. 34 illustrates a method 3400 of assembling an array of elongatedsemiconductor strips on a substrate. In step 3410, adhesive material isapplied on the substrate in a predetermined manner. In step 3420, vacuumis applied to each one of the elongated semiconductor strips to maintainthe strips in the array. The array is a predefined arrangement of thestrips. In step 3430, the array of elongated semiconductor strips istransferred to the substrate, and a face of each elongated semiconductorstrip is brought into contact with a portion of the adhesive material.In step 3440, the vacuum applied to each elongated semiconductor stripceases to provide the array of elongated semiconductor strips located insitu on the substrate and adhering to the substrate.

FIG. 28 is an image showing the configuration of an array 2820 ofslivers assembled on a substrate 2810 using this method 3400.

FIGS. 25 and 26 are images of a transfer mechanism 2500 adapted to applyvacuum to slivers or strips in an array of slivers in spacing beltsand/or lifter/referencer and to transfer the array to a substrate. Thetransfer mechanism 2500 is shown upside down to illustrate castellationsand vacuum channel orifices 2510. The castellations of the transfermechanism 2500 are spaced to align with the lifter/referencer. Vacuumcan be applied to the array of slivers to lift them from thelifter/referencer and then move them using the transfer mechanism, whichis preferably implemented with a robotic arm to transfer the array ofslivers to the substrate. The robotic arm may implement rotary motionand/or use variable orientation for placement of the array on asubstrate. Numerous variations are possible without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention.

The assembly of the array of slivers is now described with reference toFIGS. 29 to 31. For ease of illustration only, the initial configuration2900 shows the substrate 2910 with a number of pads of electricalconductive material formed on the substrate. The pads may be an epoxythat is dispensed or printed onto the substrate. The electricallyconductive material is used to electrically connect two or more of theelongated semiconductor strips when deposited on the substrate. FIG. 30illustrates the configuration 3000 where adhesive material issubsequently applied or dispensed on the substrate, preferably as strips2930, configured between the pads 2920. The adhesive material may alsobe stamped on the substrate. Alternatively, the adhesive strips may beput on the substrate before the pads of electrically conductivematerial. The process shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 may be practiced forexample where the substrate is pre-printed with electrically conductivematerial for example. Further, the adhesive material may be appliedbefore or after the electrically conductive material, or vice versa.

In FIG. 31, the final configuration 3100 shows the slivers 2930transferred to the substrate using the transfer mechanism 2500,resulting in the strips adhering to the substrate and being electricallyinterconnected in any of a number manners.

The device shown in FIG. 31 comprises the substrate 2910, an array ofelongated semiconductor strips 2940, adhesive material 2930, andelectrically conductive material 2920. Again the strips 2940 areseparated from a wafer of semiconductor material, and each has a widthsubstantially equal to the wafer thickness and a thickness dimension ofthe strip 2940 less than the width. The adhesive material 2930 isdeposited between the substrate 2910 and a face of each elongatedsemiconductor strip 2940 to adhere the substrate 2910 and each elongatedsemiconductor strip 2940 together. The face has the width of theelongated semiconductor strip 2940 as one of its dimensions. Theelectrically conductive material 2920 is deposited on the substrate 2910connecting at least two of the elongated semiconductor strips 2940together. Each elongated semiconductor strip 2940 may comprise a sliverphotovoltaic solar cell. Still further, the device is a solar cellmodule.

The substrate may be glass with a reflective surface on one side so thatincident light between the strips in the array is reflected at leastpartially to the bottom surface of slivers in the array. Still further,the substrate may be a Lambertian reflector. Optical adhesive ispreferably used between the slivers and the substrate. Once theelectrically conductive connections between strips is formed, anencapsulant may be applied over the array. Metal connections may be usedto effect the electrically conductive connections alternatively. Atransparent glass plate or other suitable material may then be adhered,for example using adhesive, on top of this encapsulant to form asandwich like structure with the array of slivers located internally.Dependent upon the spacings of the at least one second belt, theelongated semiconductor strips may be separated by roughly one, two, orthree strip widths.

An apparatus for assembling an array of slivers on a substrate utilizesa mechanism for applying adhesive material on the substrate in strips.This may be done by dispensing or stamping the adhesive material, forexample. The transfer mechanism 2500 has a vacuum source applying vacuumto each one of the slivers to maintain the strips in the array, thearray being a predefined arrangement of the strips. Further, thetransferring mechanism is used to transfer the array to the substrate2910 and bring a face of each sliver into contact with a portion of theadhesive material 2930. The vacuum source 2510 then ceases the vacuumapplied to each sliver to provide the array of slivers located in situon the substrate and adhering to the substrate.

Further aspects of the method of FIG. 34 can be carried out by theapparatus.

Assembling an Array of Slivers on a Substrate

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there isprovided a method of assembling an array of slivers on a substrate. Asliver is separated from the wafer using vacuum applied to a face of thesliver forming an edge or being adjacent to an edge of the wafer. Thewafer is displaced from a source of the vacuum relative by apredetermined distance. The sliver is received on a first pair ofparallel belts oriented lengthwise across the belts. The belts are movedin a given direction by a predetermined distance greater than the widthof the sliver. These operations are repeatedly carried out until all ofthe slivers have been processed. The first pair of belts is castellatedand has a distance between adjacent castellations substantially widerthan the width of the sliver. Each sliver is transferred from the firstpair of belts to a second pair of belts using vacuum. The second pair ofbelts each have castellations with a distance between adjacentcastellations greater than the width of an sliver but substantially lessthan adjacent castellations of the first pair of belts. The second pairof belts are moved in a given direction by a predetermined distancegreater than the width of the sliver. This is done in synchronizationwith the first pair of belts. These operations are carried out until atleast a portion of the slivers have been processed forming the array ofstrips.

The array of slivers is transferred using vacuum, or other well knowengagement mechanisms, from the second pair of belts to the substratehaving adhesive material applied to a surface of the substrate andbringing a face of each sliver into contact with a portion of theadhesive material. Preferably, the adhesive is optical adhesive and maybe stamped on the substrate in strips. Each sliver is released byceasing the vacuum to provide the array of slivers located in situ onthe substrate and adhering to the substrate. The adhesive then hardens;this may be done by ultraviolet (UV) curing the adhesive material.Electrically conductive material is applied to electrically connect twoor more of the slivers in the array adhering to the substrate.

The foregoing embodiments of the invention may be practiced with sliversthat are 1 mm wide and approximately 110 mm long, for example. In otherembodiments, the slivers may be 70 mm or 120 mm in length. The sliversmay be used to implement solar cells. The slivers may be separate onefrom another by gaps of 80 μm to 100 μm. In the first pair of belts, thespacing between castellations may be 3 mm where the slivers are 1 mmwide. Further, slivers are separated by empty spaces on the belt up to10 mm. The second pair of belts may have adjacent castellationsseparated by 3 mm. The pitch may be changed to accord with changes inthe dimensions of the slivers or other processing requirements. Thelifter/referencer may have a spacing of 1.4 mm between adjacentcastellations and can be used to adjust the position of the sliversvis-à-vis to within a tolerance of approximately 0.01 mm or thereabout.While specific dimensions have disclosed for the slivers, belts andother assemblies, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat adjustments and variations in dimensions dependent upon theapplication without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention.

Any of a number of other techniques for electrically interconnectingslivers may be applied beside the method of forming pads on thesubstrate prior to adhesion of the slivers to the substrate. Further inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 29 to 31, dog-bone shaped pads may be usedto interconnect rows or blocks of slivers on the substrate.

The embodiments of the invention advantageously utilize vacuum to snapslivers from the wafer. The vacuum concept is well suited for engagementof the sliver on the wafer and to snap the sliver from the wafer withoutdamaging the fragile sliver. The slivers can be inconsistent on thewafer—some are convex, some are concave, some have an “S” shape, someare broken and others may be stuck together with a second sliver.

The method of separating slivers is characterized by:

-   -   1. Engaging a sliver by its relatively large and easier to find        bottom face.    -   2. Not relying on precise positioning such as trying to find the        small and position variable gap between slivers.    -   3. Having a generous depth of field of engagement, i.e. engages        the sliver even if the sliver is out of position vertically by 1        mm, for example.    -   4. Not dependent on whether the bottom sliver is joined to the        one above that sliver.    -   5. Not dependent upon whether the bottom sliver is already        broken, and    -   6. Vacuum is robust in a production environment.

Alternative mechanisms to apply vacuum to the sliver are:

-   -   a. Use an indexing vacuum drum to which the wafer vertically        reciprocates and after engaging a sliver onto the vacuum drum,        the vacuum drum and sliver rotate say 10 degrees and be ready        for engagement of another sliver. The slivers can be engaged at        12 o'clock and released say at 6 o'clock. This concept has        advantages of a rigid indexing drum, ability to release at        multiple positions (say 4 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 8 o'clock for        grading slivers into multiple grades), but may limit the space        to implement a sliver testing function.    -   b. Use a reciprocating set of vacuum cups or pads to engage the        sliver on a fixed (or gross indexing) wafer. This works with        either the twin timing belt or the vacuum drum concept, but may        have a slower cycle time.    -   c. Use a vacuum cup or pad on a manipulator (or robot) and pick        each sliver and place the sliver either directly on the assembly        substrate, a testing station, or into a magazine or temporary        holding station. The wafer can be orientated “U” clamp upwards.        This method may be slow but can use multiple pickup heads or        robots.

As yet another alternative, sticky carrier strip(s) may be used ontowhich the wafer reciprocates leaving a sliver behind on the strip(s)each time. The sticky strips need some vertical compliance as theposition of each sliver's bottom face can vary if the sliver is notstraight and flat.

The embodiments of the invention advantageously maintain the orientationof the slivers as removed from the wafer throughout the relevantprocessing through to assembly of the array on the substrate.

In solar cell applications, the embodiments advantageously reduce thesemiconductor (silicon) per watt of output produced.

FIG. 42 is a block diagram illustrating a pivotable, robotic arrangement4200 for transferring an array of slivers 4240 to an uneven surfacesubstrate 4220. The substrate 4220 may have an uneven (e.g., wavey)surface. Further, the surface (e.g., metal sheet) 4210 that thesubstrate 4220 is disposed on may also be uneven making the problemworse of transferring the slivers 4240 to the surface. A height sensor4270 measures changes in the surface of the substrate and is used torotate a robotic arm 4260 so as to rotate a flexible compliant transferhead 4250 to be better oriented relative to the surface of thesubstrate. For example, the sensor 4270 may touch the substrate tomeasure its height and then adjust the head. In this manner, slivers4240 can be better oriented to the adhesive 4230.

In yet further embodiments, methods of using a vacuum (or mechanical oradhesive tape etc) may be used to transfer the sliver from one belt toanother belt (rather than the drum discussed here) or from one belt tocontainer (termed a vacuum transfer belt). The same methods allowslivers to be removed from the container and subsequently processed andtherefore slivers can be binned, the manufacturing sequence performed intwo sections. Further, methods may be practiced where by the sliversremoved from their wafer frame are transferred to belts (or otherdevices) using the foregoing method.

In the foregoing manner, a number of methods, apparatuses, and systemshave been disclosed for separating elongated semiconductor strips from awafer of semiconductor material, assembling a plurality of elongatedsemiconductor strips separated from a wafer of semiconductor materialinto an array of the strips, and assembling an array of elongatedsemiconductor strips on a substrate. While only a small number ofembodiments have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art in the light of this disclosure that numerous changes andsubstitutions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention.

1. A method of separating elongated semiconductor strips from a wafer ofsemiconductor material, said method comprising the steps of: providing aplurality of elongated semiconductor strips formed in a wafer in asubstantially parallel manner with respect to each other, said waferhaving a substantially planar surface and a thickness dimension at aright angle to the substantially planar surface and a frame portion atopposite ends of said semiconductor strips connecting said strips tosaid wafer, said semiconductor strips each having a width at leastsubstantially equal to the wafer thickness and a thickness dimension ofsaid strip less than said width, a face of at least one of elongatedsemiconductor strips lengthwise forming an edge of said wafer or beingnearest adjacent said edge; applying vacuum to said elongatedsemiconductor strip forming said edge or being adjacent to said edge;and displacing said wafer and a source of said vacuum relative to eachother a predetermined distance to separate said elongated semiconductorstrip having vacuum applied to said elongated semiconductor strip fromsaid wafer.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising thesteps of: at least reducing said vacuum applied to said separated,elongated semiconductor strip; and displacing said separated, elongatedsemiconductor strip and said source of said vacuum relative to eachother.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of at leastreducing said vacuum comprises terminating said vacuum.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising the step of: moving said waferso that said elongated semiconductor strip is in close proximity to saidsource of said vacuum.
 5. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising the step of: moving said source of said vacuum relative tosaid wafer so that said source of said vacuum is in close proximity tosaid elongated semiconductor strip.
 6. The method according to claim 1,wherein said steps are repeatedly performed to separate two or more ofsaid plurality of said elongated semiconductor strips from said wafer.7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said source of said vacuumhas a body with at least one cavity formed therein for providing saidapplied vacuum, said cavity adjacent said elongated semiconductor stripbeing substantially the same in size as or smaller than a dimension of aface of said elongated semiconductor strip.
 8. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising the step of: forming weak points in portionsof said wafer adjacent opposite ends of said elongated semiconductorstrips to facilitate separation of said elongated semiconductor stripfrom said wafer.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said waferis single crystal silicon or multicrystalline silicon.
 10. An apparatusfor separating elongated semiconductor strips from a wafer ofsemiconductor material, said apparatus comprising: means for holding awafer having a plurality of elongated semiconductor strips formed in asubstantially parallel manner with respect to each other in said wafer,said wafer having a substantially planar surface and a thicknessdimension at a right angle to the substantially planar surface and aframe portion at opposite ends of said semiconductor strips connectingsaid strips to said wafer, said semiconductor strips each having a widthat least substantially equal to the wafer thickness and a thicknessdimension of said strip less than said width, at least one of elongatedsemiconductor strips lengthwise forming an edge of said wafer or beingnearest adjacent said edge; a vacuum source to apply vacuum to said faceof said elongated semiconductor strip forming said edge or beingadjacent to said edge; and means for displacing said wafer and saidsource of said vacuum relative to each other a predetermined distance toseparate said elongated semiconductor strip having vacuum applied tosaid elongated semiconductor strip from said wafer.
 11. The apparatusaccording to claim 10, where said vacuum applied to said separated,elongated semiconductor strip is at least reduced, and furthercomprising means for displacing said separated, elongated semiconductorstrip and said source of said vacuum relative to each other.
 12. Theapparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least reducing said vacuumcomprises terminating said vacuum.
 13. The apparatus according to claim10, further comprising: means for moving said wafer so that saidelongated semiconductor strip is in close proximity to said source ofsaid vacuum.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 10, furthercomprising: means for moving said source of said vacuum relative to saidwafer so that said source of said vacuum is in close proximity to saidelongated semiconductor strip.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 10,further comprising means for controlling operation of at least saidholding means, said source of said vacuum, and said displacing means torepeatedly perform operations to separate two or more of said pluralityof said elongated semiconductor strips from said wafer.
 16. Theapparatus according to claim 10, wherein said source of said vacuum hasa body with at least one cavity formed therein for providing saidapplied vacuum, said cavity adjacent said face of said elongatedsemiconductor strip being substantially the same in size as or smallerthan a dimension of a face of said elongated semiconductor strip. 17.The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: means forforming weak points in portions of said wafer adjacent opposite ends ofsaid elongated semiconductor strips to facilitate separation of saidelongated semiconductor strip from said wafer.
 18. The apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein said wafer is single crystal silicon ormulticrystalline silicon.
 19. A method of assembling a plurality ofelongated semiconductor strips separated from a wafer of semiconductormaterial into an array of said strips, said method comprising the stepsof: receiving at a predetermined position of at least one belt one ofsaid elongated semiconductor strips oriented lengthwise across saidbelt; moving said belt in a given direction by a predetermined distancegreater than the width of said elongated semiconductor strip; andrepeating said receiving and moving steps until all of said elongatedsemiconductor strips have been processed.
 20. The method according toclaim 19, wherein a vacuum source applies a vacuum to said elongatedsemiconductor strip and is used to deliver said elongated semiconductorstrip at said predetermined position, and said predetermined distance isrelative to said vacuum source.
 21. The method according to claim 19,wherein said belt is made of a tape-like fabric and has adhesive on asurface upon which said elongated semiconductor strip is received. 22.The method according to claim 21, wherein said belt is made of Mylar.23. The method according to claim 19, wherein said belt is castellatedand has a distance between adjacent castellations substantially widerthan the width of said elongated semiconductor strip, said predeterminedposition located between castellations on said belt and each elongatedsemiconductor strip is located between two adjacent castellations onsaid belt.
 24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising thesteps of: transferring each elongated semiconductor strip from said beltto at least one further belt located adjacent thereto, said at least onefurther belt having castellations with a distance between adjacentcastellations greater than the width of an elongated semiconductor stripbut substantially less than adjacent castellations of said belt thatreceived said elongated semiconductor strip; moving said further belt ina given direction by a predetermined distance greater than the width ofsaid elongated semiconductor strip; and repeating said transferring andmoving steps until at least a portion of said elongated semiconductorstrips have been processed forming said array of strips.
 25. The methodaccording to claim 24, wherein said transferring step comprises applyingvacuum to each elongated semiconductor strip during movement of saidfurther belt.
 26. The method according to claim 19, wherein said atleast one belt comprises two parallel belts.
 27. The method according toclaim 24, wherein said at least one belt comprises two parallel beltsand said at least one further belt comprises two further parallel belts.28. An apparatus for assembling a plurality of elongated semiconductorstrips separated from a wafer of semiconductor material into an array ofsaid strips, said apparatus comprising: at least one belt receiving atpredetermined positions one of said elongated semiconductor stripsoriented lengthwise across said belt; a motor moving said belt in agiven direction by a predetermined distance greater than the width ofsaid elongated semiconductor strip; and a controller coupled to saidmotor repeating said receiving and moving operations until all of saidelongated semiconductor strips have been processed.
 29. The apparatusaccording to claim 28, further comprises a vacuum source applying avacuum to said elongated semiconductor strip and used to deliver saidelongated semiconductor strip at said predetermined positions, saidpredetermined distance being relative to said vacuum source.
 30. Theapparatus according to claim 28, wherein said belt is made of atape-like fabric and has adhesive on a surface upon which said elongatedsemiconductor strip is received.
 31. The apparatus according to claim29, wherein said belt is made of Mylar.
 32. The apparatus according toclaim 28, wherein said belt is castellated and has a distance betweenadjacent castellations substantially wider than the width of saidelongated semiconductor strip, said predetermined position locatedbetween castellations on each belt and each elongated semiconductorstrip located between two adjacent castellations on said belt.
 33. Theapparatus according to claim 29, further comprising: at least onefurther belt located adjacent to said at least one belt; means fortransferring each elongated semiconductor strip from said belt to saidfurther belt, said at least one further belt having castellations with adistance between adjacent castellations greater than the width of anelongated semiconductor strip but substantially less than adjacentcastellations of said belt that received said elongated semiconductorstrip; and a motor moving said further belt in a given direction by apredetermined distance greater than the width of said elongatedsemiconductor strip; wherein said controller repeats said transferringand moving operations until at least a portion of said elongatedsemiconductor strips have been processed forming said array of strips.34. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said transferring meanscomprises a second vacuum source applying vacuum to each elongatedsemiconductor strip during movement of said further belt.
 35. Theapparatus according to claim 28, wherein said at least one beltcomprises two parallel belts.
 36. The apparatus according to claim 33,wherein said at least one belt comprises two parallel belts and said atleast one further belt comprises two further parallel belts.
 37. Amethod of assembling an array of elongated semiconductor strips on asubstrate, said method comprising the steps of: applying adhesivematerial on said substrate in a predetermined manner; applying vacuum toeach one of said elongated semiconductor strips to maintain said stripsin said array, said array being a predefined arrangement of said strips;transferring said array of elongated semiconductor strips to saidsubstrate and bringing a face of each elongated semiconductor strip intocontact with a portion of said adhesive material; and ceasing saidvacuum applied to each elongated semiconductor strip to provide saidarray of elongated semiconductor strips located in situ on saidsubstrate and adhering to said substrate.
 38. The method according toclaim 37, further comprising the step of applying electricallyconductive material to said substrate to electrically connect two ormore of said elongated semiconductor strips in said array adhering tosaid substrate.
 39. The method according to claim 38, wherein saidapplying step comprises printing pads of said electrically conductivematerial on said substrate.
 40. The method according to claim 38,wherein said adhesive material is applied on said substrate in elongatedstrips.
 41. An apparatus for assembling an array of elongatedsemiconductor strips on a substrate, said apparatus comprising: meansfor applying adhesive material on said substrate in a predeterminedmanner; a vacuum source applying vacuum to each one of said elongatedsemiconductor strips to maintain said strips in said array, said arraybeing a predefined arrangement of said strips; and means fortransferring said array of elongated semiconductor strips to saidsubstrate and bringing a face of each elongated semiconductor strip intocontact with a portion of said adhesive material; wherein said vacuumsource ceases said vacuum applied to each elongated semiconductor stripto provide said array of elongated semiconductor strips located in situon said substrate and adhering to said substrate.
 42. The apparatusaccording to claim 41, further comprising means for applyingelectrically conductive material to said substrate to electricallyconnect two or more of said elongated semiconductor strips in said arrayadhering to said substrate.
 43. The apparatus according to claim 42,wherein said applying means comprises a printer printing pads of saidelectrically conductive material on said substrate.
 44. The apparatusaccording to claim 42, wherein said adhesive material is applied on saidsubstrate in elongated strips.
 45. A method of assembling an array ofelongated semiconductor strips on a substrate, said elongatedsemiconductor strips formed in a wafer in a substantially parallelmanner with respect to each other, said wafer having a substantiallyplanar surface and a thickness dimension at a right angle to thesubstantially planar surface and a frame portion at opposite ends ofsaid semiconductor strips connecting said strips to said wafer, saidmethod comprising the steps of: separating an elongated semiconductorstrip from said wafer using vacuum applied to said elongatedsemiconductor strip forming an edge or being adjacent to an edge of saidwafer; displacing said wafer from a source of said vacuum relative by apredetermined distance; receiving on at least one first belt saidelongated semiconductor strip oriented lengthwise across said belt;moving said belt in a given direction by a predetermined distancegreater than the width of said elongated semiconductor strip; repeatingthe foregoing steps until all of said elongated semiconductor stripshave been processed.
 46. The method according to claim 45, wherein saidat least one first belt is made of a tape-like fabric and has adhesiveon a surface upon which said elongated semiconductor strip is received.47. The method according to claim 45, further comprising the step ofdisplacing said separated, elongated semiconductor strip and said sourceof said vacuum relative to each other.
 48. The method according to claim45, wherein said at least one first belt is castellated and has adistance between adjacent castellations substantially wider than thewidth of said elongated semiconductor strip, and further comprising thesteps of: transferring each elongated semiconductor strip from saidfirst belt to at least one second belt using vacuum, said second belthaving castellations with a distance between adjacent castellationsgreater than the width of an elongated semiconductor strip butsubstantially less than adjacent castellations of said first belt;moving said at least one second belt in a given direction by apredetermined distance greater than the width of said elongatedsemiconductor strip; and repeating said transferring and moving stepsuntil at least a portion of said elongated semiconductor strips havebeen processed forming said array of strips.
 49. The method according toclaim 48, further comprising the steps of: transferring said array ofelongated semiconductor strips using vacuum to said substrate havingadhesive material applied to a surface of said substrate and bringing aface of each elongated semiconductor strip into contact with a portionof said adhesive material; and releasing each elongated semiconductorstrip by ceasing said vacuum to provide said array of elongatedsemiconductor strips located in situ on said substrate and adhering tosaid substrate.
 50. The method according to claim 49, wherein saidsubstrate also has electrically conductive material applied to saidsubstrate to electrically connect two or more of said elongatedsemiconductor strips in said array adhering to said substrate.
 51. Themethod according to claim 45, wherein said wafer is single crystalsilicon or multicrystalline silicon.
 52. The method according to claim45, wherein said at least one first belt comprises two parallel belts.53. The method according to claim 48, wherein said at least one firstbelt comprises two parallel belts and said at least one second beltcomprises two further parallel belts.
 54. A system for assembling anarray of elongated semiconductor strips on a substrate, said elongatedsemiconductor strips formed in a wafer in a substantially parallelmanner with respect to each other, said wafer having a substantiallyplanar surface and a thickness dimension at a right angle to thesubstantially planar surface and a frame portion at opposite ends ofsaid semiconductor strips connecting said strips to said wafer, saidsystem comprising: a vacuum source for separating an elongatedsemiconductor strip from said wafer using vacuum applied to saidelongated semiconductor strip forming an edge or being adjacent to anedge of said wafer; means for displacing said wafer from a source ofsaid vacuum relative by a predetermined distance; at least one firstbelt receiving said elongated semiconductor strip oriented lengthwiseacross said belt; a motor moving said at least one belt in a givendirection by a predetermined distance greater than the width of saidelongated semiconductor strip; a controller repeating the foregoingoperations until all of said elongated semiconductor strips have beenprocessed.
 55. The system according to claim 54, wherein said at leastone first belt is made of a tape-like fabric and has adhesive on asurface upon which said elongated semiconductor strip is received. 56.The system according to claim 54, wherein said separated, elongatedsemiconductor strip and said source of said vacuum can be displacedrelative to each other.
 57. The system according to claim 54, whereinsaid at least one first belt is castellated and has a distance betweenadjacent castellations substantially wider than the width of saidelongated semiconductor strip, and further comprising: at least onesecond belt having castellations with a distance between adjacentcastellations greater than the width of an elongated semiconductor stripbut substantially less than adjacent castellations of said at least onefirst belt; means for transferring each elongated semiconductor stripfrom said at least one first belt to said at least one second belt usingvacuum; and a motor moving said at least one second belt in a givendirection by a predetermined distance greater than the width of saidelongated semiconductor strip; said controller repeating saidtransferring and moving operations until at least a portion of saidelongated semiconductor strips have been processed forming said array ofstrips.
 58. The system according to claim 57, further comprising: meansfor transferring said array of elongated semiconductor strips usingvacuum to said substrate having adhesive material applied to a surfaceof said substrate and bringing a face of each elongated semiconductorstrip into contact with a portion of said adhesive material; and meansfor releasing each elongated semiconductor strip by ceasing said vacuumto provide said array of elongated semiconductor strips located in situon said substrate and adhering to said substrate.
 59. The systemaccording to claim 58, wherein said substrate also has electricallyconductive material applied to said substrate to electrically connecttwo or more of said elongated semiconductor strips in said arrayadhering to said substrate.
 60. The system according to claim 54,wherein said wafer is single crystal silicon or multicrystallinesilicon.
 61. The apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said at leastone first belt comprises two parallel belts.
 62. The apparatus accordingto claim 57, wherein said at least one first belt comprises two parallelbelts and said at least one second belt comprises two further parallelbelts.
 63. A device, comprising: a substrate; an array of elongatedsemiconductor strips separated from a wafer of semiconductor material,said semiconductor strips each having a width substantially equal to thewafer thickness and a thickness dimension of said strip less than thewidth; adhesive material deposited between said substrate and a face ofeach elongated semiconductor strip to adhere said substrate and eachelongated semiconductor together, said face having the width of saidelongated semiconductor strip as one of its dimensions; and electricallyconductive material deposited on said substrate connecting at least twoof said elongated semiconductor strips together.
 64. The deviceaccording to claim 63, wherein each elongated semiconductor stripcomprises a sliver photovoltaic solar cell.
 65. The device according toclaim 64, wherein said device is a solar cell module.